Dr M tables bill to lower voting age for second reading
PARLIAMENT | Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today tabled the constitutional amendment bill to lower the voting age to 18 for its second reading at the Dewan Rakyat.
In his speech, he urged the House, especially opposition lawmakers, to vote for the constitutional amendment bill and create history for Malaysia.
PARLIAMENT | Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today tabled the constitutional amendment bill to lower the voting age to 18 for its second reading at the Dewan Rakyat.
In his speech, he urged the House, especially opposition lawmakers, to vote for the constitutional amendment bill and create history for Malaysia.
"I urge all of us to ensure that we pass the amendment with the support of more than two-thirds and create a new history in Malaysia.
"Definitely, democracy is still alive in Malaysia and will be strengthened by the strength and minds of the youth," he said.
He expected the number of voters to increase by more than 50 percent to 22.7 million in 2023, compared to 14.9 million in the 2018 general election.
"A total of 7.8 million new voters (aged 18 to 21) will be included in the electoral roll by 2023," he said.
The move is in line with keeping up with global changes, with almost all Asian countries lowering their voting age to 18 while some European countries even mooted to lower the voting age to 16, he said.
Besides reducing the voting age to 18, the constitutional amendment bill also incorporates automatic voter registration.
The government also seeks to lower the qualifying age of elected lawmakers to the Dewan Rakyat and the state legislative assemblies from 21 to 18.
The automatic voter registration and lowering the voting age to 18 will come in force once the bill is gazetted, said the premier.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong will determine the date of implementation for lowering the age of elected representatives to 18, the prime minister added.
Mahathir also noted the government needed to amend the Election Offence Act 1954, Elections (Conduct of Elections) Regulations 1981 and Elections (Registration of Electors) Regulations 2002 before implementing the new bill.
In a rare move, the opposition lawmakers unanimously pledged to support the constitutional amendment brought by the Harapan government, which is nine votes short to pass the bill.
A total of 59 lawmakers have expressed interest to participate in the debate at the bill's policy stage (second reading).
Meanwhile, Mahathir also urged all states to make an amendment to their respective state constitutions to lower the qualifying age for a state representative to 18.
"The House urges and has faith in the state governments supporting this amendment and will amend their relevant provisions accordingly," said the prime minister.
